Q It seems to have been a bit of a struggle for Northampton this season. How have fans viewed the season?

At times it’s been hugely frustrating. Hopes were high for a good season with the squad that previous manager Justin Edinburgh assembled during the summer. Many expected us to be challenging near the top end of the table.

It all quickly started unraveling after a disappointing last minute defeat on the opening day.

For all the recruitment in the summer, the limitations and imbalances in the squad were there for all to see.

Pre-season optimism quickly evaporated when that opening day defeat turned into five straight losses and Justin Edinburgh became this season’s first managerial casualty.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink came in and appeared to steady the ship winning his first two games. Since then, up until the turn of the year at least, it’s been two steps forward one back all the while.

We’re nowhere near out of the woods yet, but there is a feeling of optimism around the club at the moment that we will achieve safety.

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If you‘d posed me this question six weeks ago, I would have said no chance. We simply didn’t look good enough, were adrift of safety, morale amongst fans was low and games weren’t happy places to be at.

Now though, different story entirely, as I said earlier, we’re not out of the woods, but the whole vibe around the club is different.

The January signings have made a difference and survival is in our own hands. We’ve still got a lot of the sides around us to play.

We know that it won’t be plain sailing but as long as we keep the bad days at the office to a minimum and don’t start getting ahead of ourselves, I’m confident we have more than enough to stay up.

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Q You were very active in the transfer market. What signings have stood out for you?

I think, and I may be in a minority here, but for me, the ones that have made the biggest difference are the two full backs, Joe Bunney from Rochdale, and Shay Facey from Manchester City. Both like to get forward and Bunney’s first two games produced two assists.

I really rate our new goalkeeper Richard O‘Donnell too.

Combined with the players who we’ve let go as well, the squad looks a lot more balanced and better equipped for League One.

Q The big move in Scunthorpe eyes was Kevin Van Veen. Granted it is early days, but how has he looked?

I think he’ll do well for us. He certainly adds a different dimension to our play, his size and physicality obviously means we have another way of playing if needed.

I couldn’t make a judgement on him in the Rochdale defeat after coming on as a second half sub but I was impressed with him at Wimbledon. I think he’ll hold the ball up very well allowing others to get forward.

I can see him getting better as he forges understanding with his new team mates. Hopefully his first goal won’t be too long in arriving and if he can reproduce some of his strikes in a Scunthorpe shirt, then he will have been a very good signing!

Kevin Van Veen

Q How do you feel Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has done since taking over?

Generally, I’m happy. He was my choice when Justin Edinburgh was sacked, in fact I‘d have liked to seen him appointed last January after Rob Page’s dismissal.

It’s been up and down to a certain extent, but for the first half of the season he was trying to get the best out of a squad that he hadn’t assembled. Now he’s been able to put his own stamp on the squad we finally appear to be moving in the right direction.

One criticism is one that is shared by a number of fans, is he constantly tinkers with his starting line-up.

Sometimes it pays off, but there have been times when it’s backfired horribly, but in fairness he’ll hold his hands up and admit it when he’s changed the team when arguably he shouldn’t.

Overall though, he’s got us moving in the right direction again. I’m confident that he’ll guide us to safety this season and with the right recruitment in the summer, hopefully we’ll be nearer the right end of the table next season!

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink Picture: Damon Campion

Q John Joe O‘Toole has suddenly come into the goals since he was moved upfront. How important is he to your survival chances?

In short, absolutely vital! Fully deserved to receive the League One player of the month award. Can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and dictate it.

With him in the starting line up, our record is P15, W8, D3, L4 with a 53 per cent win ratio. When he hasn’t started it’s P24, W2, D7, L15 and the win ratio drops to eight per cent.

Add in four goals and four assists in six games, it really underlines how crucial he is to our hopes.

He’s had his share of injuries, missing a big chunk of the first half of the season, but if we can keep him fit, we certainly have a better chance of achieving our aims than if he’s not around.

John-Joe O'Toole Picture: Robbie Stephenson/JMP

Q Where will Saturday’s game be won and lost?

It’s important we’re positive. We’ve shown we can go away to the leading sides and get a result. We won at Bradford in mid January, admittedly they were at the beginning of their poor run, but we played at a high tempo from the off and took the game to them. If we approach Saturday like that, there’s no reason why we can’t get a result.

If we let you dictate the game, we could be in for a long and disappointing afternoon.

From the Scunthorpe perspective, keeping John Joe O‘Toole quiet is paramount, Rochdale nullified him the other week, and as a result it was no coincidence we were so poor collectively.